soldier
06-07-2006, 08:34 AM
On Monday, Google unveiled <code></code>Google Spreadsheets (http://i.n.com.com/i/ne/p/2006/66googspr464x242.jpg), an addition to its roster of Web-based productivity applications [ Google Calender and Gmail ]. Google, which acquired the Writely Web-based word processor in March, is unleashing Web-based services of programs that propelled Microsoft to dominance on the desktop.
So how does Microsoft respond? By revamping its business to focus on Web services under the Windows Live and Office Live monikers and retooling its advertising technology to target Google's bread-and-butter ad market. This also gives Microsoft another reason to try to cut off Google's ad-driven air supply as it represents, by Google, a step onto Microsofts' territory.
This spreadsheet however will only appeal to consumers who have never used a spreadsheet program before. Advanced users will want to stay away from Google Spreadsheets because of its more limited features.
The service provides automatic saving, so once a document is saved for the first time it is saved upon every change, as well as enables easy transfer of data from cell to cell, inserting and deleting of rows and columns and supports multiple sheets or tabs. Google spreadsheets also supports the import and export of documents in the .xls format used in Excel and the .csv (comma-separated values) format.
But, according to Alan Yates, general manager of Microsoft's information product-management group, "This is just an imitation of functionality that many other vendors already deliver, such as SimDesk, Wikicalc, and Salesforce.com."
Consumers must have a Google account to use the service.
So how does Microsoft respond? By revamping its business to focus on Web services under the Windows Live and Office Live monikers and retooling its advertising technology to target Google's bread-and-butter ad market. This also gives Microsoft another reason to try to cut off Google's ad-driven air supply as it represents, by Google, a step onto Microsofts' territory.
This spreadsheet however will only appeal to consumers who have never used a spreadsheet program before. Advanced users will want to stay away from Google Spreadsheets because of its more limited features.
The service provides automatic saving, so once a document is saved for the first time it is saved upon every change, as well as enables easy transfer of data from cell to cell, inserting and deleting of rows and columns and supports multiple sheets or tabs. Google spreadsheets also supports the import and export of documents in the .xls format used in Excel and the .csv (comma-separated values) format.
But, according to Alan Yates, general manager of Microsoft's information product-management group, "This is just an imitation of functionality that many other vendors already deliver, such as SimDesk, Wikicalc, and Salesforce.com."
Consumers must have a Google account to use the service.